Senator Dino Melaye, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the recent Kogi governorship election, has declared that he will not contest the electoral victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressing a complete loss of confidence in the judiciary.
In a press conference held in Abuja on Wednesday, Melaye accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary of posing a significant threat to democracy in Nigeria.
Melaye specifically pointed to Kano and Plateau states, alleging that the judiciary is being manipulated to strip opposition parties of mandates freely given by the people.
He expressed concerns about participating in future elections, particularly under what he described as a morally and ethically challenged INEC led by Prof Mahmood Yakubu, stating that it would legitimize the perceived erosion of democracy in Nigeria.
During the press conference, Melaye stated, “Judiciary is no longer the last hope of the ordinary people; it’s now a department under the All Progressives Congress. Why should any responsible person go to the tribunal when the APC has captured the judiciary? I’ve lost complete confidence in the judiciary.”
Melaye called on all opposition political parties to boycott future elections until the current INEC is dissolved, advocating for the appointment of a new set of nonpartisan Chairman and Commissioners. This move reflects his deep concerns about the integrity and impartiality of the electoral process under the current leadership.
